Auxiliary-air-inlet device



H. C. MOORE AND C. G. BUTLER.

AUXILIARY AIR INLET DEVICE. APPLICATION FILED APR. 19, I919.

Patented Mar. 23, 1920.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY C. MOORE AND CLYDE G. BUTLER, 0F DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THEAUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORA- TION ,OFOHIO. I

AUXILIARY-AIR-INLET DEVICE.

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' Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 19, 1919. Serial No. 291,196.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY C. MOORE and CLYDE G. BUTLER, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Dayton, in the county of Montgomery and Stateof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAuXiliary-Air-Inlet Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in auxiliaryair-inlet devices for explosive engines, and more particularly to suchdevices for the explosive engines used in automobiles, air-planes andmotor boats. The improvements relate specifically to the type ofair-inlet device disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 1,250,409.

The principal object of the invention is to provide in such an auxiliaryair-inlet device, a movable member, preferably a screen, which, inresponseto the velocity of the gas passing through it, will be raisedthereby to actuate ball or other types of check valves of the slidingtype for the purpose of admitting air, steam or other gas to theconduits leading from the carbureter to the engine.

For the above purpose the invention contemplates the employment ofsimple, readily.- operated and efficient mechanism to be fully describedin the following specification and particularly set forth in thesubjoined claims.

Our invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, of whichFigure 1 is a top plan view of our improved air-inlet device. Fig. 2 isa bottom plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a side view of the conical screen.Fig. 4

is' a vertical sectional view of the device in position between amanifold connection and a carbureterf Fig. 5 is a plan view of one ofthe arcuate levers hingedly mounted on the split retaining ring. Fig. 6is a side View thereof. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fluted type ofcheck valve that may be used in our device. Fig. 8 is a front end viewthereof. Fig. 9 is a side view of one of the retaining caps adapted toreceive the valve spring. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a checkvalve, substantially triangular in cross section, that maybe employed inour device. Fig. 11 is a front end view thereof. Fig. 12 is aperspective View of the ball valve and spring therefor which we preferto employ in our device. of the spring mal air hole.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of one retaining caps, having a nor- And Fig. 14is a plan view of another retaining cap having a larger air hole.

Throughoutthe specification and drawings, similar reference charactersdenote corresponding parts.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 designates a flat,and substantlally elliptical, member containing a wide elongated slot 2in each end thereof to enable it to be firmly secured between a manifoldconnection 3 and a carbureter 4.

Provided in the flat member 1 is a central opening of substantially thesame diameter as that of the bore of the manifold connection 3, toreceive an apertured member 5. The latter preferably comprises a screenof fine mesh that is conical in shape and whose margmal edges are boundby a ring 6 having a rounded top and flat bottom. (See Fig. 3.)

The flat member 1 has a slightly countersunk portion around its centralopening to receive a retaining band 7 that forms an annular flange uponwhich the ring 6 of the screen 5 normally rests.

Provided in the lower portion" of the flat member 1 that surrounds itscentral opening, is an annular recess or groove that receives a splitring 8 which is adapted hingedly to secure, within that opening, thefollowing described arcuate levers that operate the check valves toadmit air when the screen is raised by the velocity of the fuel passingtherethrough.

Referring to Figs. 1, 4c, 5 and 6, the numeral 9 designates, each ofthese arcuate levers, which are preferably four in number. Each lever 9has extending rearwardly from each end thereof, a leg 10 terminating inan eye portion that receives the ring 8. The latter, therefore, whenseated within the annular recess, that receives it in the member 1, willhingedly secure the arcuate levers 9 within the central opening in thelatter, above the ring 6 of the screen 5. In other words, these leverswill be held by the ring 8, in a position to-be engaged and raised bythe ring 6 of the screen when the latter is elevated by the velocity ofthe fuel passin therethrough. When these levers are raise by the ring 6,their outer peripheries will be forced against the wall of the centralopening in the member 1 to prevent the passage of fuel that might seekto go around, rather than through, the screen 5 when the latter israised.

The primary function of the levers 9 will now be described. Provided inthe flat member 1, and exten from its outer surface to the centralopening within it, are radial holes 11, each hole being of smallerdiameter at its inner than at its outer end, to provide a shoulder orseat 12 that is adapted to be engaged by a ball valve 13 normalglpressed against it by a coil spring 14. e outer end .of the latterseats against the interior portion of the dome 15 of a ca 16 that issecured to the marginal edge of t e flat member 1 over its respectivehole 11, by screws 17 The dome 15 of each cap 16 is of conical shape toenable the spring 14 to accommodate itself to it as a seat, since thehole re ceiving said spring is oblique to said cap.

Preferably provided in the middle of the dome 15 of each cap 16 is anair-inlet hole 18. Thecaps 16 are interchangeable, so that one whosedome 15 contains a large hole to admit more air, as shown in Fig..'14,may

be substituted for the one shown in Fig. 13,.

which contains a smaller hole.

The springs 14 normally hold their re spective valves 13 against theirseats 12, to preventthe admiss on of auxlhary air when the engine isrunning at slow speed. As is well known in the art, when the speed ofthe engine increases, auxiliary air should be adinitted in a quantityproportionate to that speed, for mixture with the fuel that ascends fromthe carbureter to the manifold. This fuel must pass through the conicalscreen 5, and as its velocit increases, the screen will be raised therey .to open the valves 13 by the following means:

Extending rearwardly from the middleportion of each arcuate lever-9,between and at approximately right angles to the legs 10, is aprojection 19 adapted to engage a respective ball valve 13. Provided inthe periphery of the fiat member 1 around its central opening one oneach side of the inner end of a hole 11, is a vertical groove 20,

. adapted to receive and guide the lever legs 10 during their up and.down movement when the screen is raised and lowered.

Each arcuate lever 9 is so hinged as to permit its ends to be firstengaged by the ring 6 on the rising movement of the screen. Accordingly,a great leverage of approximately three to one will be provided, to per-.m'it the projection 19 on each lever 9 sufiicient force to overcome thetension of the springs 14', and thrust .the ball valves 13 a sufficientdistance behind' their seats to admit air in the proper'quantity formixture with the ascending fuel. As' the speed of the engine increases,the conical screen 5,

will be further raised by the increased-velocity of the fuel passingtherethrough, with the result that the balls 13 will be'pressed fartherfrom their seats by the projections 19 on the levers'9 that are elevatedby the shown and described,

ring 6 on the screen. And, as stated before,

the fuel cannot ascend around the marginal edges of the screen, butmust-go through it to perform its lifting function, since the outerperipheries of the levers are pressed against the wall of the centralaperture of the member 1, to form a barrier against the marginalascension of the gas. Now, when the speed of the engine decreases, thescreen and levers will descend by gravity, while the balls 13 will beforced against their seats to prevent the further admission of auxiliaryair, by the coil springs 14. Not only will the screen, in response tothe velocity of. the ascending fuel, perform the air admitting functionjust described, but it will effectively resist backfire in thecarbureter when too lean a mixture has gone into the cylin-. ders of theengine. Y I The arcuate levers 9 which we provide,

are multiplying ina sense, since their ends only are initially engagedby the ring 6 to provide suflicient leverage to break the vacuum whenthe screen 5 starts to rise. The

ring 6 is not only provided to slidingly engage the levers, but toreinforce the screen and prevent 1t from frazzling out.

We do not WlSll to be limited to the ball type of check valves shown anddescribed, since other types of such valves may be employed withoutdeparting from the spirit of our invention. In Fig. 7 we haveillustrated a slide valve 21 which has a fluted periphcry, or one whichis star-shaped in cross section, to break up into small shafts, the in-100 coming air,- rather than have it enter the manifold connection inthe form of a tube. For the purpose of breaking up this auxiliary air,we have shown a slide valve 22 in Figs. 9 and 10, that is approximatelytri- 105 angular in cross section. Both the valves 21 and 22 have anoutwardly flaring outer end to rest firmly against a seat provided forit in each radial hole 11 when this type of valve is used. 110

We do not wishto be limited to the details of construction andarrangement herein and any changes or modifications may be made thereinwithin the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. Ina device of the type described, the combination with a memberadapted to be interposed between a carbureter and a manifold connectionfor an explosive engine, 120 check valves slidable in said member foradmitting air to said manifold connection, a screen loosely mounted inan opening in said member, and adapted to be moved by the velocity ofthe fuel passing therethrough 125 from the carbureter into saidmanifoldconnection, and lever mechanism one ortion of which is adapted to beengag by said screen and the other portion of which is adapted to engageand thrust open said 180 check valves, whereby, when said aperturedelement is actuated in response to the velocity of fuel passingtherethrough, said check valves will be thrust open to admit air to saidmanifold connection.

2. In a device of the t pe described, the combination with a memberadapted to be interposed between a carbureter and a manifold connectionfor an explosive engine, check'valves slidable in said member foradmitting air to said manifold connection, a screen loosely mounted inan opening in said member, and adapted to be moved by the velocity ofthe fuel passing therethrough from the carbureter into said manifoldconnection, and arcuate levers hingedly secured in said member, adaptedto be actuated by the movable screen, to engage and thrust open saidcheck valves to admit air to said manifold connection, when said screenis moved by the velocity of the fuel passing therethrough.

3. In a device of the type described, the combination with a mem eradapted to be interposed between a carbureter and a manifold connectionfor an explosive engine, check valves slidable in said member foradmitting air to said manifold connection, a screen loosely mounted inan opening in said member, and adapted to be moved by the velocity ofthe fuel passing therethrough from the carbureter into said manifoldconnection, arcuate levers disposed around the peripheral rim of saidscreen, a projection on each lever adapted to engage and thrust open acorresponding check valve, and means hlngedly securing said levers tosaid memher, the two ends only of each lever adapted to be initiallyengaged by the movable screen to provide the necessary leverage tothrust open its respective check valve when the screen is actuated inresponse to the velocity of fuel passing therethrough,

4. ln a device of the type described, the combination with a memberadapted to be interposed between a carbureter and a manifold connectionfor an explosive engine, check valves slidable in said member foradmitting air to said manifold connection, a screen loosely mounted inan opening in said member, and adapted to be moved by the velocity ofthe fuel passing therethrough from the carbureter into said manifoldconnection, arcuate levers disposed around the peripheral rim of saidscreen, a projection on each lever adapted to engage and thrust open arespective check valve, a split ring seated in an annular recessprovided in the wall of said memberaround the opening therein, and apair of eyelet projections on each lever through which said ring isadapted to pass, for the purpose of hingedly securing each lever to saidmember, whereby, when said levers are actuated by the movable screen,they will engage and thrust open said check valves, to admit air to saidmanifold connection.

5. In a device of the type described, the

combination with a member adapted to be interposed between a carbureterand a manifold connection for an explosive engine, check valves slidablein sald member for admitting air to said manifold connection, a screen"loosely mounted in an opening in said member, and adapted to be movedby the velocity of the fuel passing therethrough from the carbureterinto said manifold connectlon, arcuate levers disposed around theperipheral rim of said screen, a projection on each lever adapted toengage and thrust opena respective check valve, a split ring seated inan annular recess provided in the wall of said member around the openingtherein, a pair of legs on each lever, one leg on each side of, and atright angles to, the

aforesaid lever projection, each leg terminat ing in an eye throughwhich said ring passes to hingedly secure said levers to said member,and recesses provided in the latter at right angles to the annularrecess to receive the eyelet ends of said legs, to guide said leversduring their valve opening movement in response to the movement of saidscreen.

6. In a device of the type described, the combination with a memberadapted to be interposed between a carbureter and a manifold connectionfor an explosive engine, said member provided with a central opening towhich radial holes extend from the outer periphery of said member, aball valve in each hole, a seat for said valve provided in the forwardportion of said hole, a screen loosely mounted in the central opening insaid member, and adapted to be moved by the velocity of the fuel passingtherethroug from the carbureter to said manifold connection, anapertured cap afiixed to said member over the outer end of each radialhole, a spring interposed between said cap and ball valve in itsrespective radial hole, normally to hold said valve against its seat,and lever mechanism one portion of which is adapted to be engaged bysaid screen and the other portion of which is adapted to engage andthrust the said ball valves behind their seats, whereby, when saidscreen is actuated in response to the velocity of the fuel passingtherethrough, auxiliary air will be admitted to said manifold connectionthrough said radial holes.

7. In a device of the type described, the combination with a flat memberadapted to be interposed between a earbureter and a manifold connectionfor an explosive engine, said member provided with a central opening towhich radial holes extend from the outer periphery of said member, acheck V valve in each hole, a seatfor said valve proing in said member,and adapted to be moved by the velocity of the fuel passingtherethrough, from the carbureter to said manifold connection, levermechanism one portion of which is adapted to be engaged by said screenand thevother portion of which is adapted to engage and thrust saidvalves behind their seats when said screen is moved by said fuelvelocity, a 'coil spring normally holding said valves against theirseats, a cap removably secured to said member around each radial hole,and an apertured conical dome for each cap, that forms a seat to whicheach spring readily accommodates itself and admits air to its respectiveradial hole.

8-. In a device of the type described, the combination'with a flatmember adapted to be interposed between a carbureter and a manifoldconnection for an explosive engine, slide valves in said member foradmitting air to said manifold connection, a screen for said centralopening, adapted to be moved by the velocity of the fuel passingtherethrough from the carbureter w said manifold connection, a flangedisposed around the bottom portion of said central opening, a binderring around the marginal edges of said screeen, normally supported bysaid flange, and means adapted to be engaged by said binder ring, formoving said slide valves to admit air to the manifold connection whensaid binder ring is raised above the flange by the screen in response tothe velocity of the fuel passing through the latter.

In testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands this 17th day ofApril, 1919.

HARRY C. MOORE. CLYDE G. BUTLER. Witness:

HOWARD S SMITH.

